Exeter embracing district energy schemes

Such is the enthusiasm for the technology that Exeter City Council in the UK wants to deliver CHP and district heating across all of its large-scale developments in the future.

At the moment energy groups are keen on the potential of plans for a green district heat network in the city.

The scheme – a large-scale heating network providing access to low-carbon, affordable heat – is intended to help reduce fuel emissions and improve energy efficiency, saving more than 10,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

A number of organisations in the city could be served by a district heat network, including the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, County Hall, Matford business park, and the bus and coach station redevelopment.[Native Advertisement] A recent CBI report, The Colour of Growth, said moving to a low carbon economy could "drive significant business investment and create many new jobs" across the country. The Exeter and East Devon Low Carbon Task Force (LCTF) is working closely with councils to deliver the scheme, which would triple the efficiency of a waste energy plant currently being built at Marsh Barton.

Devon County Council has agreed that part of the site could be used to build a CHP plant linked to developments on the other side of the M5.

A study of the city centre and Marsh Barton heat network is due to be completed later this month and will be reported to the city council in the spring.